Key Takeaways: - Insect protein for dogs is a nutrient-dense protein made from finely ground insects, and is often used as a sustainable and easy-to-digest alternative to traditional meat. - It’s a beneficial addition to your dog’s diet because of its high-quality protein, healthy fats, and essential minerals that support digestion, skin and coat health, and overall wellbeing, while using much less land and water than conventional meat farming. - Insect Protein could benefit dogs with sensitive stomachs or food intolerances, those on hypoallergenic or limited-ingredient diets, and smaller breeds that need gentle, nutrient-dense nutrition.
Insects in dog food? We get it, it sounds a little strange, but trust us - it’s worth getting to know.
Insect Protein is gaining attention from dog food brands as a nutrient-rich, easy-to-digest, and more sustainable protein option.
Looking to find out more? Read on for Insect Protein explained, the benefits, and why it could be a healthy choice for your pooch.
What are the benefits of Insect Protein for dogs?
You might not expect insects to be rich in nutrients - they’re tiny, after all! But looks can be deceiving. Insects are naturally packed full of nourishment for your pooch, providing:
High quality protein which is essential for strong muscles and a shiny coat.
Healthy fats. This includes omega fatty acids that support skin, coat, and brain function.
Essential minerals. Insect Protein contains essential minerals that help with overall health and wellbeing, including: - Magnesium for energy production - Zinc and Copper for immune function and healing - Phosphorus and Calcium for healthy bones and tissues- - Iron that supports healthy blood cell production and oxygen transport
In some formulations, dog foods containing Insect Protein have higher concentrations of these minerals than traditional meat protein choices, such as chicken or fish. Who would have thought such small creatures could hold all that goodness!
Other benefits include:
Insect Protein is easy to digest
For pups with sensitive tummies, Insect Protein is a healthy alternative to traditional protein sources as it’s gentler on the stomach. It’s much easier to digest and naturally high in fibre, making it a solid choice to support gut health .
That means your pup may have less uncomfortable symptoms like itching, loose stools, bloating, or excessive gas. Happy bellies make for happy pups - and happier humans, too.
Insect Protein is sustainable
Insect dog food isn’t just packed with goodness for your pooch - it’s also a healthy choice for the environment.
Insect farming uses much less land than traditional meat farming.
Think about the size of a cow versus an insect - big difference, right?
So, instead of spreading farms out wide, insects can be stacked on top of each other, using much less space.
Insect farming uses much less water than meat farming, too, since insects don’t require as much water to thrive as cows.
On top of that, insects produce much less methane (a gas made when digesting food) than cows and can be raised on food or agricultural waste, helping to cut down overall greenhouse gas emissions.
All of this makes Insect Protein a far more sustainable and eco-friendly option - a win for your pup, and a win for the planet!
What is Insect Protein?
Insect Protein is exactly what it sounds like - but don’t worry, you won’t have beady eyes staring from your dog's bowl every morning. Instead, insects are ground into a fine, nutrient-dense powder, ready to be added to dog food or treats.
What insects are typically used in Insect Protein?
Insect Protein usually contains:
Mealworms
Hermetia illucens or Black soldier flies
Crickets
Sounds a bit squirm-worthy? Maybe. But these insects are packed with nutritional value, making them a surprisingly powerful addition to your pup’s diet.
Here at Pooch, we use Black Soldier Fly Fresh Insect Protein, as featured in our Fresh Salmon Dry Food . Black Soldier Fly is gentle on sensitive stomachs and naturally rich in high-quality protein, healthy fats, and essential nutrients.
If your pooch is prone to digestive issues or allergies, it makes for the perfect addition to their diet - equally as nourishing as traditional meat, but much easier to digest.
What does Insect Protein taste like?
We know what you’re thinking - mealworms and crickets don’t exactly sound appetising - at least not to us. But, for your pooch? It could be a new favourite.
Most dogs love the taste of Insect Protein.
It has an earthy, nut-like flavour that lots of dogs go crazy for. Remember, dogs aren’t as picky as we are - they’re just focused on the taste and smell of their dinner!
Can Insect Protein be good for both cats and dogs?
Absolutely! Insect Protein isn’t just for dogs - it can be a great choice for cats too.
Many benefit from using it to relieve gut problems, and it’s increasingly being used as a healthy, nutrient-dense protein source in modern cat foods.
One thing to watch out for: although packed with goodness, Insect Protein doesn’t naturally contain taurine, an essential amino acid that cats need. Most cat food brands will fortify this, though, so that cats can safely enjoy the benefits of insect nourishment without compromising their diet; just be sure to check the ingredients list.
Would my dog benefit from Insect Protein?
If your dog requires a sensitive/hypoallergenic diet
Insect Protein is hypoallergenic, making it a great option for pooches prone to food intolerances.
This can be particularly helpful if your pup’s on an elimination or a limited-ingredient diet.
This is because Insect Protein can be used as a single-source protein, meaning the only animal protein in the food comes from insects.
You might be wondering how this differs from feeding other common proteins, such as chicken or beef?
While these meats can also be fed on their own, they’re biologically very similar to each other, so a dog’s immune system may still react to them.
Insect Protein is very different from traditional meats, which makes it a useful option when removing meat from the diet to see if symptoms improve, while still ensuring your pup gets the nutrients they need.
Vet Linda says,
"I've recently used insect protein for a few of my patients- mainly those with food allergies, chronic skin or Gastrointestinal issues. I've been pleased to see how well the dogs have adapted to their diets and foresee myself using these diets a lot more going forward."
If your dog is a smaller breed
Smaller dogs are particularly prone to sensitive tummies due to their small stomachs.
A protein that’s nutrient-dense and yet easy to digest - like Insect Protein - is perfect.
So, Insect Protein could be the way to go for tiny stomachs and big appetites - we’re looking at you, Chihuahuas .
How to introduce Insect Protein into your dog's diet
The first step is to choose a high-quality Insect Protein dog food suitable for your pooch.
We recommend that you buy from a reputable brand, and choose a dog food that has a high percentage of protein at the top of the ingredients list. We also advise you to steer clear of foods that are pumped with unnecessary additives and fillers.
As with introducing any new foods, we recommend making a gradual transition, mixing a small amount into your dog's diet and gradually increasing over one-two weeks, while closely monitoring your pup for any signs of digestive upset.
Puppy 
Things to watch out for:
Vomiting
Loose stools
Gas or bloating
Loss of appetite
Do Pooch & Mutt use Insect Protein?
We do! Our Fresh Salmon Dry Food includes 15% Fresh Insect alongside 35% Fresh Salmon, to better support pooches with sensitivities and digestive needs.
Novel Protein Fresh Salmon & Insect Dry Food
Our 50% Fresh Salmon dog food, with Fresh Insect is made for fussy dogs or those with delicate digestion. This fresh dry food is full of flavour and nutrients, making it highly palatable and packed with goodness to help maintain vitality.
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50% Fresh Salmon & Insect
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Prebiotics to promote gut health
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Glucosamine & Chondroitin for joints
Current price: £20.99
Novel Protein Fresh Salmon & Insect Dry Food
FAQs
Is Insect Protein better than animal protein?
Neither is better, just different!
No pooch is the same, and what works for one may be different for another. Here at Pooch, we believe in finding the right food for every breed & need.
Insect Protein is loaded with high-quality protein, essential minerals, and healthy fats, but it’s gentler on the stomach than typical meat proteins.
For pups with sensitive tums or meat intolerances, Insect Protein is a great choice.
What is the healthiest protein for a dog?
There is no single ‘healthiest’ protein for every dog.
As long as your pup is getting their recommended intake of a good quality protein source, the healthiest one is whichever suits them best - one size never fits all.
Will my dog actually like Insect Protein?
Most dogs love Insect Protein! It has a light, nutty flavour, and blends easily with the other ingredients in their food. Whilst we might squirm at the idea of eating insects, our pooches only have the flavour and scent of their dinner on their minds.
Now that you’re all clued up… Would you consider introducing Insect Protein into your pup’s diet? Or is it already a staple in their mealtimes?
Let us know what you think in the comments.